The conversation was not limited to the donation. Olympic champion Tatyana Ovechkina revealed to Lysenkov that her son was finished a graduate program and will defend a dissertation either “this year or next.”

Um, excuse me? Ovechkin’s getting his PhD in Russia? This is news.

In the above video translated by Igor Kleyner, Ovechkin’s mom says her son “finished a graduate program two years ago. I can’t recall exactly what the name of his thesis is, but the fact is, right now he is preparing to defend his dissertation. He will be defending either this year or next.”

There is absolutely no other information. Tatyana mentions “a university” but does not give a name.

For his thesis, Ovechkin chose the subject “Speed training for high level hockey players at CSKA, Dinamo, and Spartak.” He was noticeably nervous prior to his presentation and even yielded his turn to a few of his peers. But Team Russia’s forward, known for his good sense of humor, remained true to himself even during his defense, as outbursts of laughter could be heard from the presentation room to those waiting for him.

We did some more research. If Ovechkin successfully defends his upcoming dissertation, in Russia he’d be considered a Kandidat — or in English a Candidate of Sciences.

According to Fedor Fedin, this title in Russia is a step right below the highest education title you can receive, Doktor nauk, or translated to English, Doctor. To be a Candidate, Ovechkin would have also done the equivalent of six-plus years of studying at a university.

According to Wikipedia and UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), a Candidate of Sciences “is informally regarded in Russia and many other post-Soviet states as equivalent to PhD obtained in countries in which a PhD is not the highest academic degree.”

So the future Candidate Ovechkin would have an education that would be equivalent in North America to between a Master’s Degree and a PhD. We wouldn’t call Ovechkin a doctor here, but there are some countries where that would be the right title. You can’t make this stuff up.

Regardless, Ovi has always been an honorary doctor of sick goals and big hits in my book so really this is not big news.

Additional reporting by Igor Kleyner and Fedor Fedin.

]]>http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2015/02/17/dr-ovechkin-tatyana-ovechkina-says-son-alex-will-soon-have-advanced-degree/feed/26Andre Burakovsky Scores Twice After Being Scratched in 3 of Last 4 Games (GIF)http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2015/02/15/andre-burakovsky-scores-twice-after-being-scratched-in-3-of-last-4-games-gif/
http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2015/02/15/andre-burakovsky-scores-twice-after-being-scratched-in-3-of-last-4-games-gif/#commentsMon, 16 Feb 2015 04:48:17 +0000http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=81069

Photo: Debora Robinson

Since December, Andre Burakovsky‘s usage in the Caps lineup has been curious as Barry Trotz has had to juggle playing time among veteran and younger players. Coming into Sunday’s game, the skilled young Swede had not received more than nine minutes of ice time since the beginning of February. He’d been used as a fourth-line center, a second-line winger, and a first line winger. He had been scratched in three of the team’s last four games.

But in Burakovsky’s return to the lineup on Sunday against Anaheim, The Burracuda scored twice off of two amazing primary assists from Alex Ovechkin. He played nearly 13 minutes on the team’s first line.

For the first goal, Ovechkin found Burakovsky wide open after the Ducks double-teamed the captain. Burra’s perfectly placed wrist shot eluded Josh Gibson. That would stand up as the game-winning goal.

Midway through the third period, Burakovsky scored again. Ben Lovejoy (understandably) committed to Ovechkin during a two-on-one, so the Russian machine snapped a pass across the slot. Burakovsky made some sweet dekes and did the damn thing again.

Burakovsky might get a more regular role after his performance on Sunday, but when he spoke to The Washington Post’s Alex Prewitt last week, he sounded like a man whose confidence was shattered:

I have to think when I’m playing, because I’ve been in the stands so many times, I just want to do the easy parts. I think I have to stop doing all the easy stuff and I have to start playing my own game. Not taking risk at the wrong spot on the ice, but do the stuff I’m good at. I used to beat my guy one-on-one, but it feels like I’m not really trying to do that anymore. I’m trying to do the easy stuff, the safe stuff out there. I want to go back and play my own game. When I do that, that’s when I’m [at my] best.

Sounds a bit like Braden Holtby last year.

Recently, Predators’ star Filip Forsberg hinted that he felt bad for his fellow countryman in an interview with Per Bjurman of Aftonbladet. Forsberg, who played games on the fourth line when he wasn’t buried in the AHL, experienced Trotz’s curious use of young players firsthand.

[Forsberg] tells me that it didn’t feel one bit wrong to play and beat the Caps last month.

“No, that obviously felt good. And they have Trotz as a coach too…”

Not that Filip bashes anyone publically, but he notes that “Burra” (André Burakovsky) gets about the same treatment as he did himself last year.

“I prefer what we’ve got now, hockey wise. It’s better than it was before. I noticed first day at development camp last summer that there were new winds blowing. Last year we just skated without the puck for two days. This year we had a particular skills-coach for pure offensive development and we practiced getting passes on the tape all the time.”

With any luck, this is the game that will give Burakovsky a full-time role in the Caps’ top-six for the rest of the season. He’s too talented for dumping and chasing on the fourth line. If he gets quality minutes with any consistency, his development will continue.

Alex Ovechkin apparently agrees.

Ovi on Burakovsky: "Of course he don’t have that kind of experience yet, but 100 percent in the future, he’s going to be one of our leader."

Caps prospect Stan Galiev has put the work in this season and has become a great story. After initially struggling with system play as a teenager, the 23-year-old forward has carved himself out a roster spot in AHL Hershey. Galiev is fifth on the Bears in scoring. Earlier this season he authored a brilliant streak of 8 goals in 8 games, putting him on the Caps radar as a potential call-up.

“This year I played well in the pre-season, our head coach Troy Mann, trusted me and I began to score,” Galiev said. “I get power play time, get some points. I stay healthy too. You put all that together and you can say I’ve now got confidence.”

Fedor Fedin has your translation below.

Your play at St. John got you drafted by Washington. I’ve heard that Evgeny Kuznetsov predicted you being picked by the Capitals, right?

Stan Galiev: Me and Zhenya have been friends for a long time, ever since the youth national teams [“youth” in Russian are U18 and younger]. I won’t lie about the prediction; I don’t remember. Zhenya said it’d be neat to end up on the same team. The first day of the draft was on one day and the rest of the rounds on the next. When I was walking to get photographed in the Washington sweater, Zhenya screamed “Cool jersey!”. I was happy to end up with Washington but not only because I was friends with Kuznetsov. I always liked the way team played, especially with Ovechkin, Semin, Fedorov… now I dream about playing for the big club myself.

Everyone wishes that for you too I’m sure. For now, you play for the Hershey Bears, the Capitals’ affiliate. And you’ve played in the ECHL for Reading.

SG: By the way, that’s a pretty strong league. Reading was a part of the Capitals system. The level of hockey is good, most teams play three lines so I had plenty of ice time. There was also a lot of bus rides. In my first year with Hershey I didn’t get much done, I missed three months with a broken collarbone. I was sent to Reading where I played a lot and that helped. They’re South Carolina now if I’m not mistaken.

Your scoring has improved significantly. What do you think is the reason of such a spike compared to last season?

SG: This year I played well in the pre-season, our head coach Troy Mann, trusted me and I began to score. I get power play time, get some points. I have stayed healthy too. You put all that together and you can say I’ve now got confidence.

What style of play do the Hershey Bears play now? How are the fans? How is the hockey life in town?

SG: The whole town wears shirts, hats, sweaters with the logo. People come from neighboring cities for the games. If I’m not mistaken, we are the oldest team in the league, 77 years old. Big traditions. The most important tradition is winning. You’re taught to win. We’ve won 11 championships, more than any team in the league. And about style of play… We play aggressive on defense, try to control the puck. More time on the attack! The emphasis at practice is penalty kill and power play. If you look up the stats, we’re number one penalty kill, number five power play and number one in goals allowed in our conference! The arena is always full, almost 10000 people at every game. It’s great to play in such an atmosphere

How are fan relations?

SG: Great! They always support us. We meet them often, talk.

Is the AHL level high? What can you say about the league?

SG: It’s very high! A lot of talented young players who have just been drafted and who have played in the NHL. Veterans help you out. Coaches work to make your better. A lot of work on the strategy and the team play. And great infrastructure, too. Better than in any league except the NHL of course.

What Russian AHL players do you chat with?

SG: I see a lot and talk to [Sharks’ Daniil] Tarasov, [Pens’ Anton] Zlobin, [Lightning’s Nikita] Nesterov and [Vlad] Namestnikov. I scored twice on [Andrei] Vasilevsky if I’m not mistaken and I’m yet to play against [Andrei] Makarov. I hope it’s all ahead of me and he won’t be mad at me when I score a couple.

You’ve been in the Capitals training camp more than once. It’s a commonplace question, but I can’t avoid asking it. Do you know Ovechkin well?

SG: I think I’ve been in the Caps camp five times. You can even say that I knew Sasha even before leaving for America. We talk often about our home Dynamo and coach Ramil Safich Valiulin, who coached both of us. We have the same Dynamo blood in our veins!

So you can always call Alex The Great for any reason or no reason at all?

SG: When I come to Washington for the camp, we always spend time together. He gives me a lot of good advice that I listen to. Not everyone gets advice from a player who scores 50 goals a season. During the season we write to each other, ask how is it going. Sometimes I just write Sasha, Zhenya Kuznetsov, or Dima Orlov to congratulate them on a win.

Best advice from Ovi?

SG: The first one. When I was drafted by Washington, he told me to put some muscle on.

A few years ago you said you can’t imagine how to defend against Ovechkin. After a few years, did you get any understanding?

SG: It’s tough even if only because of his shot. And then he just comes at you with crazy speed it’s twice as hard. And he’ll never pass up an opportunity to hit you and I guarantee you it’s not very pleasant! Believe me!

Did the relationship between the big club and the farm team change with the arrival of Brian MacLellan and Barry Trotz? Do Hershey players now get more attention?

SG: I didn’t notice much of a difference. Coaches contact, but you don’t notice any change. At least players don’t know about it. Everyone’s working and I do too. Work and wait for your chance.

Is making the Capitals is your biggest career goal as of now?

SG: To be honest I try not to think about the NHL call-up. I know I’ve lost a lot in the last two years and now the biggest task is to keep playing the way I’ve been playing. Score, get points, help team win games. It’s only my first full year with Hershey. A lot of work ahead… but I have such a goal [to make the Caps]. And another one to play for Team Russia.

]]>http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2015/02/05/stan-galiev-not-everyone-gets-advice-from-a-player-who-scores-50-goals-a-season/feed/36Alex Ovechkin Does Not Rule Out Return to Russia In Interview With SovSporthttp://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2015/01/25/alex-ovechkin-does-not-rule-out-return-to-russia-in-interview-with-sovsport/
http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2015/01/25/alex-ovechkin-does-not-rule-out-return-to-russia-in-interview-with-sovsport/#commentsSun, 25 Jan 2015 18:58:23 +0000http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=79913

Photo: Dave Sandford

In an interview with SovSport on Saturday, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was asked straight up if he wanted to return to Russia next year. Ya know, to debunk the rumor once and for all so we could all move on. Instead, Ovechkin left the door open for a possible return and even sounded like he has put a lot of thought into the idea.

Sigh.

Sasha, the persistent rumor that you will return to the KHL in 2015 is around. Please debunk it or give hope to the fans.

Alex Ovechkin: We’ll see. There are a lot of nuances in this matter that need to be considered as well as potential obstacles.

Sounds vague.

AO: I’m telling you, to make a KHL return there should be more than just a player’s desire. All factors should come together for it to go through.

“We have an agreement with the NHL that states if the player plays in the AHL, he’s available for the World Junior Championship,” vice president Peter Forsberg (not that one) said, as translated by RMNB’s Magnus Cadelin. “They’re breaking the regulations and that we cannot accept.”

“I don’t understand the reason behind this,” an exasperated Forsberg continued. “First they say he’s an important player for the team, then they send him down to the AHL. I have emailed both the NHL’s central organization and the Washington Capitals to get an explanation.”

Nothing is impossible. There’s an Italian saying: “Better late than never”.

But why do we talk about this when Sasha has a contract with Washington in place? Yes, Kovalchuk had a contract in the NHL, too, as did Radulov. Okay, I guess we’ll see.

I’ll say just one thing: Dynamo would love to have Ovechkin. And Sasha would gladly return. But there’s a contract, there are responsibilities that need to be fulfilled. Not everything depends on us and our wishes. As of now, December of 2014, Ovechkin’s return is not real.

So there is nothing to worry about.

If Ovechkin wanted to join Dynamo, he’d have tried by now. New Jersey probably could have block Kovalchuk’s move, but they chose not to, as explained as we explained last September. And despite Kovalchuk’s move, NHL contracts are still respected.

Early Sunday morning DC time (2 AM), Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkininstagrammed a photo. The Russian machine stood in front of some sort of Dynamo Moscow shrine (I assume in his mansion), smiled, and held up his finger. He wrote:

I had no idea what that said, so I asked Igor and Fedor. This is how it translates.

Happy BirthDay, Dear Dynamo!!! I’m so prouD to be a Dynamo alum… I love this club and prouD of it… I’m prouD that my whole family are from Dynamo!!!!

Sunday was the 68th Anniversary of Dynamo Moscow. Ovechkin’s capitalizing all his Ds is apparently a popular thing among Dynamo fans. They call each other “SoraDnik” (which means “brother-in-arms”, intentionally misspelled to unclude the uppercase “D”).

So yeah, Ovechkin loves his Dynamo.

]]>http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2014/11/23/alex-ovechkins-tribute-to-dynamo/feed/18Dominik Hasek Could Do the Splits For Three Hourshttp://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2014/11/17/dominik-hasek-could-do-the-splits-for-three-hours/
http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2014/11/17/dominik-hasek-could-do-the-splits-for-three-hours/#commentsTue, 18 Nov 2014 04:36:05 +0000http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=75009

Photo: AP

Two years ago, Igor and I visited Caps 2012 seventh round pick Sergey Kostenko in Reading, PA for an interview. Kostenko, who sadly is no longer with the Caps, previously played in Metallurg Novokuznetsk’s system in Russia and had a lot of great stories.

Sergey Kostenko: Here is what happened once. We got a new goaltending coach, so he watched me play for a bit and then asked, “Hey kid, who taught you to play goal?” So I answered, “Nobody.” And then he said, “I can see that!” And, really, I just tried to pick up whatever I could from watching different goalies – a skating style from one, catching glove from another, how to drop on my knees from a third one, a little bit from everybody, put it together, and that was my style. Although, when I was just starting to play in goal, it was probably the peak of Dominik Hasek’s career, and he was amazing.

Is it even possible to copy how he played?

Sergey Kostenko: I think he is the only one who can copy his style! His flexibility was absolutely unequaled. I remember, the guys from Spartak (the KHL team Hasek played for in 2010-2011) were telling me, he would come [to a practice], get into a full split, and stay in it for three hours. He would sometimes even ask someone to go get him some coffee while he was in a split! My flexibility is not bad, but I would not be able to do anything like that.

How much attention did you pay to stretching and developing flexibility growing up?

Sergey Kostenko: Prior to getting into hockey, I did acrobatic gymnastics for a while. And then, about a year or two after I started playing hockey, I went to gymnastics summer camp – my brother’s godfather’s daughter was a gymnast, she was in that camp, and my parents worked out a deal for me to go there as well. I was 11 or 12 years old at the time. So then the parents came to visit their girls, and all of a sudden they hear these horrifying screams from the gym! So of course they would ask: “Why is this girl screaming? We are taking our girl back home!” And they would hear from the coaches “Oh, that – that’s not a girl, they brought us a hockey player; he decided to train with us!” And then they would run into the gym and see me sitting in this contraption, with a pipe behind my back, and two coaches pushing my legs [apart]. And I am sitting there, turned dark red, and no longer screaming – because there is no more air left in me to scream!” Yeah, those were some tough exercises!

George McPhee let Mike Ribeiro walk after a one season with the Capitals. Based mostly on his power-play work, Ribeiro signed a lucrative deal with the Coyotes. He was promptly bought out for poor on-ice performance and poorer off-ice behavior.

Ribs on the Caps Defense

I really believe the arrival of the two good defensemen [Orpik and Niskanen] will help this team, but ever since Olaf Kolzig they never found that first-line-of-defense goaltender. Your goalie has to be your best player– doesn’t matter how good your forwards are.

Olie Kolzig’s career save percentage was .906. Holtby’s is .918.

Ribs on Ovi

He’s part of the problem. He’s got a lot of authority in Washington. That can be harmful.

How many coaches did they have the last couple of years? The coach has to be in control and the players are to be satisfied with playing. It will be difficult to keep [Ovechkin] if the team continues like this. Every team that looks for its top scorer has to take a risk looking for one, but I am not convinced that Washington will dare to [get rid of Ovechkin]. He’s the symbol of their franchise, and the team has done alright since he got there.

Ribeiro also says he likes Denzel Washington and Beyonce, so he can’t be all bad.